Help! Neighbor's rooster tormenting my girls.

[centrarchid]

This evening I can describe in detail what is actually going on. It is both normal and does not harm your girls.

 

[iwiw60]

http://ultimatefowl.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/199/


This page may help...

 

[sjane74]

FlybyBirds - Yes, that's what we are hoping, that he can help protect our girls. As far as free ranging, we're still in experimental mode. We've already lost one because she wandered off too far and never returned home. The other 7 stick together pretty closely and seem to reserve their wandering mostly to one side of our big yard. But, I have heard that as they mature, they roam further out. I am hopeful, though. Most of the day, the girls spend snuggled together in the gnarly bushes lining one side of our property. I just checked on them now, and that's exactly what they were doing - and Henry the Rooster was sitting just nearby!

Centrarchid - that would be great!

iwiw60 - thanks for the link; I didn't know that trimming spurs does not hurt the roo!

 

[centrarchid]

Rooster crow frequently during day and much of night. Crowing advertises location and quality and serves as a warning. Crowing makes so a rooster and hens knows where male neighbors are located. Early in morning as birds come off roost, the rooster generally comes down first. If he is a harem master he demonstrates dominance over every bird in his flock as they come off roost and with hens than means he covers them. Exceptions for hens are those that are broody and that does not always hold. Particularly spunky harem masters will even try and sneak over and top hens belonging to other harem masters. The harem masters must guard against each other and against non-harem masters that try to top their hens during the confusion. Their is a very busy 5 to 10 minutes every morning when this happens and most chicken keepers either sleep through it or are too busy with chores to notice. The roosters doing the topping run about very fast all fluffed up including cotton with wings down in a manner that accentuates wild-type coloration.

Your rooster knows there to be no rival with your goldmine of pullets so he comes over and does his bit. It is a rowdy but I have never seen harm caused by it although this is the time Mr. Fox takes advantage as predator detection is not the first concern of the minute.


There is way more to this and most is relevant to OP's situation. One of these days I will make a video of the ruckus at my place. It gets really fun when you have multiple harems / flocks close enough to interact. My free-range birds are in top feather so it does not cause harm in that way. Dogs do get annoyed by it as chases can go across their backs.

 

[sjane74]

Well that is interesting. Sounds like things get pretty lively over at your place! "Henry" is very set on demonstrating his king-liness, I guess. When he hears me walking to the coop in the morning, he runs over from wherever he is and waits. Then when my pullets start running out of the pen, he makes this strange noise, it's not crowing, but like a low gutteral sound, almost like he's annoyed...I only hear him make that sound at this time every day. He chases them into the bushes and then the show is over.

 

[One Chick Two]

I got to thinking (usually gets me into trouble, lol)... is it possible, this male may only seem mean, as he is unsocialized? I mean, it may be possible he may not actually be mean underneath everything... could he be just young and somewhat wild, and does not have manners yet?

We had purchased two full grown BCM roosters from a breeder who were both wild, rough, and unsocialized at first- having both been isolated and not active members of a flock. Within a few days of working calmly with them, they both became friendly, mannerly and both became favorite flock leaders. One BCM rooster recently was rehomed as we decided to use the other rooster for breeding (The new owner is ecstatic with his lovely demeanor, and he's fitting in very well.).

Calmness, and consistency I have found to work best with roosters, and all 20 of ours have been nice, with a few a bit shy. The BCM male we kept is my absolute favorite. He gives hugs and smiles when you talk to him. Just saying, it may be possible to work with your boy maybe- if its at all worthy to you to have a friendly rooster that you like.

If you decide to try working with him, you just have to stay calm- even if he tests you at first.
I would put him in a cage for a few days, show him you are the bearer of good treats, and talk to him calmly, occasionally petting him even if he pecks you at first, working up to holding him (wear long sleeves and trim toenails/ long spurs.). If he fusses when handling, softly tell him, "Shhh..." and don't let him down until he is calm. That is key. Chickens will stop fussing to listen to what you are saying. I never give them treats while holding them, it excites them too much and I want attention time to be relaxing and trusting for them. I always aim for getting them to close their eyes, that is a state of relaxation and trust. I'm just saying, with some effort he might become very nice. Others may disagree, but this has worked very well for us.

 

[donrae]

Rooster crow frequently during day and much of night. Crowing advertises location and quality and serves as a warning. Crowing makes so a rooster and hens knows where male neighbors are located. Early in morning as birds come off roost, the rooster generally comes down first. If he is a harem master he demonstrates dominance over every bird in his flock as they come off roost and with hens than means he covers them. Exceptions for hens are those that are broody and that does not always hold. Particularly spunky harem masters will even try and sneak over and top hens belonging to other harem masters. The harem masters must guard against each other and against non-harem masters that try to top their hens during the confusion. Their is a very busy 5 to 10 minutes every morning when this happens and most chicken keepers either sleep through it or are too busy with chores to notice. The roosters doing the topping run about very fast all fluffed up including cotton with wings down in a manner that accentuates wild-type coloration.

Your rooster knows there to be no rival with your goldmine of pullets so he comes over and does his bit. It is a rowdy but I have never seen harm caused by it although this is the time Mr. Fox takes advantage as predator detection is not the first concern of the minute.


There is way more to this and most is relevant to OP's situation. One of these days I will make a video of the ruckus at my place. It gets really fun when you have multiple harems / flocks close enough to interact. My free-range birds are in top feather so it does not cause harm in that way. Dogs do get annoyed by it as chases can go across their backs.

I would love to see a video!

I enjoy your posts like this.....most of us can't keep chickens in a natural-type setting. Artificial environment can lead to artificial behaviors, imo. Reading your posts show how birds would act if they had their choice and gives me insight on how I might make things a little better for my birds.

 

[iwiw60]

@onechicktwochick .. I loved reading your post, and yes, it does make sense. While in some of my posts I appear to come across as rough and to-the-point when it comes to bad behavior (and especially predator-type posts), I agree with your thinking. Of my 4 black australorps one of them is showing slight signs of possibly being a roo. My first reaction was "oh, no!" but then I got to thinking back to the "brooder box days" and changed my feelings about it!

I don't ever want to go through the brooder box thing again....ever....again. So if it does turn out that I have a roo and three hens I'll be a happy camper. I'll take to heart the things you said and keep them in mind to keep him a calmer roo...thanks again for your post!

 

[One Chick Two]

@onechicktwochick .. I loved reading your post, and yes, it does make sense. While in some of my posts I appear to come across as rough and to-the-point when it comes to bad bahvior (and especially predator-type posts), I agree with your thinking. Of my 4 black australorps one of them is showing slight signs of possibly being a roo. My first reaction was "oh, no!" but then I got to thinking back to the "brooder box days" and changed my feelings about it!

I don't ever want to go through the brooder box thing again....ever....again. So if it does turn out that I have a roo and three hens I'll be a happy camper. I'll take to heart the things you said and keep them in mind to keep him a calmer roo...thanks again for your post!

Thank you kindly, iwiw60.

Some roos can be just bad to the bone... not much one can do for bad genetics, but receptive roos can often be developed into pretty great boys, and they think it is all their own idea, lol.

I never let their antics ruffle me, and they always know what to expect. We have one that tugs my pantleg to be picked up daily- it is his idea and he seems to like being able to communicate that. A different roo pecked my hand a few times hard when he was a cockerel. I pushed him down, and when he completely gave up struggling, then I held him, soothed him with "shh....", and gave him a chicken hug, and he seemed to be in a better mood. He got through that testing phase without getting worse.

Chicken hug: (Hold somewhat calm roo, turn your head to left, gently place his head deep on right shoulder (not within eyeshot of earrings, eyes, your teeth, etc.) then, place your chin gently over his neck while petting him and making soothing sounds and pet them. I try to get their eyes to close or look relaxed. Chickens often do this hug to each other when resting and relaxing if you watch them. I tried this after seeing them do this to each other when relaxed. Works well. However, I would not try this with anyone fussing or that is displaying bad behavior.

I'm no expert. Just know roos often seem high strung, and some just seem happier with some attention.

 

[iwiw60]

I wish I knew more about Black Australorp roosters...how they are in general, etc. The one I am suspicious of always seems to be "on the alert" head and neck stretched, looking around for anything moving. They all are very docile and calm for the most part, just wish I had some insight as to how a BA rooster develops in general....